SYDNEY — Mayor Cecil Clarke says it shouldn’t be a problem that the newest member of Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s police commission has a brother on the local police force.

“In a smaller community, and in Cape Breton, you’re going to have that from time to time, where people have relations,” Clarke said Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the municipality’s nominating committee approved the appointment of Leonard Shaw to the commission.

“The issue is really about what level of information and what would constitute a conflict of interest, especially if there’s matters around budget or collective bargaining that would come into play, but it’s up to the individual to declare a conflict.”

He also said Shaw is replacing Phil Best, who has two cousins on the force.

“It was not a problem in the past,” Clarke said. “And in the normal course of the police commission’s work, most of that stuff will not get into the day-to-day, operational aspects of the policing requirement.”

Budget and bargaining issues are the most likely areas of potential conflict of interest, but there also may be none, he said.

If a potential conflict arises, the commission member will have to declare it and be absent from discussion and voting, Clarke said.

The commission mostly deals with police programs and policies, including provincial initiatives.

“Any of the matters that affect labour and (budget) would be considered by the commission, but ultimately, council has the final say, both on budget as well as on collective bargaining.”

Clarke also said the province recently confirmed its nominee for the commission, naming Joseph Gillis of Grand Mira, Cape Breton County, to replace Eunice Harker, wife of former Cape Breton University president John Harker.

Shaw, a chartered accountant, partner and vice-president of BDO Canada in Sydney, was not available for comment Tuesday.

According to a profile on the BDO website, Shaw is a graduate of Glace Bay High School, holds a bachelor of business administration degree and certificate in public administration from Cape Breton University. He also has several other professional designations and is a member of various community boards.

Earlier this month, the municipality’s nominating committee balked at forwarding one nominee’s name after finding out the citizen nominee is also the brother of a police officer on the local force.

The nominating committee wasn’t sure if that represented a conflict of interest and sent the matter to the police commission for review.

Last week, the commission heard from Police Chief Peter McIsaac and municipal solicitor Demetri Kachafanas that there are no rules preventing a police officer’s family member from sitting on the commission.

The commission, which found that two of the potential nominees have family members on the force, sent the issue back to the nominating committee, saying any of the candidates would be acceptable.

Shaw’s appointment to the commission was expected to be confirmed at a full meeting of council Tuesday evening.